Tag: food and drink

Funding for local food initiatives

Projects that celebrate locally sourced and produced food and drink are being encouraged to apply for funding.

The Regional Food Fund aims to support the food and drink sector’s recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with £110,000 of Scottish Government funding.

The fund, managed by Scotland Food & Drink, provides grants of up to £5,000 to applicants across the country.

Last year the fund was allocated across 42 projects, which varied from helping regional food group producers in Argyll & Bute grow their sales, to supporting the expansion of the Bowhouse market in Fife to allow more local producers to showcase their food and drink offerings.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands said: “This government is committed to supporting and promoting Scotland’s local produce, which is some of the finest in the world.

“I would encourage eligible groups and businesses to apply for this year’s Regional Food Fund.

“Since its launch in 2018, the Regional Food Fund has provided over £550,000 to 121 projects, and this additional funding will support many more projects and initiatives.”

Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The Regional Food Fund has already played an important role in promoting food and drink in local communities and delivering benefits to Scotland’s local food and drink sector over the long-term.

“It’s great to see the fund reopen and continuing to promote and encourage great local food initiatives by supporting regional activities, networks and collaborative initiatives across the country.”

Regional Food Fund information and application

Who can apply?

  • individual businesses in the food and drink sector, including primary producers, on behalf of a collaborative group or project
  • regional and community groups (both rural and urban)
  • individuals on behalf of a collaborative group or project

The deadline for applications is 5pm, 9 May 2022.

Sizzling Pubs team up with Make-A-Wish UK to make dreams come true

Sizzling pubs, including The Robin’s Nest in Edinburgh, are teaming up with Make-A-Wish UK to help make dreams come true for seriously ill children across the UK. 

As part of the ‘Sizzling Community Change’ campaign, the pub chain has set themselves the goal of collectively raising one million pennies for their charity partner Make-A-Wish UK, and other local community good causes, through a series of fundraising activities.

With over 243 pubs across the UK, Sizzling prides themselves on their sense of community spirit – and this partnership with Make-A-Wish UK will help make a real difference to the lives of children in the local communities that their pubs are at the heart of.

Currently, around 63,000 children across the UK are eligible for a wish because they have a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. And Make-A-Wish UK aims to create hope, happiness and memories for the whole family to cherish by empowering children with the chance to choose a wish that’s unique to them.

The pub chain’s fundraising activity is set to kick off with the introduction of Sizzling’s ‘Light Nights’ menu, which will feature a charity dessert. The special Eton Mess Sundae will help raise money for Make-A-Wish UK, with 25p from each pudding being donated to the charity.

Tom Redwood, Operations Director at Sizzling Pubs, said: “Supporting local charities is part of what gives us our Sizzling spirit, and we hope this new partnership will help make a big difference to the lives of children and their families across the UK.

“We’re so proud to be supporting Make-A-Wish UK as part of our Sizzling Community Change campaign, and our charity dessert is just the beginning when it comes to the exciting fundraising activities we have planned for this year.”

Jason Suckley, Chief Executive at Make-A-Wish UK, said: “The power of a wish can revive a childhood stolen by critical illness. We are very grateful for the generous support of Sizzling Pubs, which will help Make-A-Wish UK be a light in the darkness for more children and their loves ones, granting wishes that leave a profound and lasting impact on all their lives.”

Discover which seriously ill children need help in your area and help make a wish come true using the Make-A-Wish UK ‘Wish Map’:

https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/wishes/wish-map/

Celebrate the spring season at The Ivy on the Square

The Ivy on the Square has launched a delectable new menu embracing the flavours of spring.

With a sense of freshness and renewal, guests will be taken on a journey of rediscovery with a selection of delights featuring ingredients that the new season brings to our tables.

Launched on the official first day of spring, diners can enjoy a series of seasonal favourites that spotlight the best of British ingredients.

The new menu will feature a number of artisanal British suppliers, with dishes including Garden Pea & Nettle Soup (£6.95), Grilled Asparagus with Szechuan mayonnaise, capers, flaked almonds, quail’s egg and watercress (£8.50), The Ivy Shepherd’s Pie with slow-braised lamb and beef, red wine sauce, and Isle of Mull Cheddar potato mash (£14.50), and a renewed selection of steaks, all truly capturing the essence of the changing seasons.

A spokesperson for Isle of Mull Cheese, said: ‘We are delighted that The Ivy on the Square has chosen to include our farmhouse cheese on their menu, showcasing our island produce. 

‘The sharp and deep flavours of our cheese will make this dish extra special.  Our cheese has long running heritage, so it is great to see it being used by contemporary restaurants who appreciate the work that has gone into making it.’ 

Those with a sweet tooth will be able to enjoy a new Black Bee Honey and White Chocolate Cheesecake (£9.25), featuring UK-based Black Bee Honey and accompanied by mango sorbet, honeycomb and edible flowers.

Alongside new dishes, guests will be able to enjoy a delicious and refreshing selection of spring cocktails, including a Raspberry Mojito (£9.75), incorporating Havana Club Rum, lime, sugar, fresh mint and Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, and a Smoked Islay Rob Roy (£9.75), featuring a sumptuous blend of Chivas 12yr old Blended Scotch, Noilly Prat, Belsazar, Red Vermouth, Angostura Bitters and a Laphroaig mist.

The Ivy on the Square will also be offering a limited-edition dessert this Easter. The Easter Nest (£9.95) is a sumptuous dark and white chocolate mousse, accompanied by Kataifi pastry, chocolate sponge and lemon balm, available on Easter weekend only from Friday, 15 to Monday, 18 April.  

Agata Lubera, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square, comments: “With reimagined favourites alongside a selection of new dishes, our new menu celebrates the best ingredients the spring season has to offer.

“A visit to The Ivy is the perfect reawakening of the senses after a long winter.”

To book a table, please visit www.theivyedinburgh.com    

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Fort Kinnaird

Mother’s Day is just a few days away, but there’s still time to pick up the perfect gift for the mother figure in your life.

Whether it’s dinner with family, her favourite perfume or a classic bouquet of flowers, there’s plenty to choose from at Fort Kinnaird.

  1. A family meal

Sometimes the most special gifts are those that you can enjoy together.

Brunch is a great way to spend the day, especially if you’re looking for Mother’s Day ideas for what to do. Browse the menu at Frankie & Benny’s for a delicious pancake stack – or celebrate in style with a cocktail at Fridays.

There’s also lots of restaurants to choose from for a Mother’s Day meal with options including wagamama, Bread Meats Bread and Pizza Express.

  1. A classic gesture

It doesn’t take big gestures to show someone how much they mean to you, a small token to say ‘thanks’ is sometimes all that it takes.

You can’t go wrong with a bunch of Mother’s Day flowers or a new houseplant from M&S to brighten up their day. Don’t forget to visit Card Factory for a Mother’s Day card too.

  1. A pampering present

Take the opportunity to restock their signature scent or treat them to a new fresh or floral fragrance for the spring/summer season at The Perfume Shop.

Boots also has a range of Mother’s Day gift sets to choose from, whether you’re after skincare, bath or beauty buys. Add a candle from Homesense to help them unwind with that at-home spa feeling.

For the ultimate cosy night in, treat them to a fresh set of pyjamas and a new pair of slippers from Next.

  1. A mindful moment

Whether their happy place is in the gym, garden, or curled up on the sofa, there’s got something for everyone.

Check out the fitness range at JD Sports for everything from apparel to yoga mats. Shop seeds, bird houses, gloves and more for keen gardeners at Wilko. Or browse the bestselling books at Waterstones to help them have the perfect day doing what they love.

  1. A special surprise

Surprising the mother figure in your life with an extra-special gift is sure to make them feel good on Mother’s Day and beyond.

Gift a little luxury with designer trainers or a coat from Tessuti. Or, treat them to a gorgeous set of earrings, or a Mother’s Day necklace from Goldsmiths or Beaverbrooks.

  1. An everyday essential

Handbags, purses and wallets are a great Mother’s Day gift idea, and whatever their style, you’ll have no trouble finding ‘the one’ at River Island.

If you’re hoping to wow with an extra big ‘thank you’ this year, visit Tessuti for a range of designer options.

  1. A sweet treat

If they have a serious sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with a box of chocolates from Hotel Chocolat – the Velvetiser is also a must-have for chocoholics! 

For keen bakers or chefs, shop aprons, spatulas and pans galore at ProCook or treat them to a new cookbook from Nadiya Hussain or Jane’s Patisserie, packed with tasty cakes, bakes and treats.

  1. A homemade treasure

Take the time to make a handmade gift and show just how much they mean to you.

Make a thoughtful Mother’s Day hamper by adding a keepsake to treasure – find a range of personalised Mother’s Day gifts from homeware to accessories at Next. Or print out a family photo at Boots with a pretty frame from Homesense.

For more information about planning a trip to Fort Kinnaird, please visit www.fortkinnaird.com.

QUIDS IN: Morrisons customers can pick up Sunday lunch for less than a fiver ahead of Mother’s Day

– Morrisons offers a whole chicken, potatoes and two packs of veg for just £4.76 – Offer available in-store and online until Sunday 27th March to celebrate Mother’s Day

Morrisons is helping customers celebrate Mother’s Day by offering all the ingredients for a Sunday roast dinner for under a fiver. 

From today, customers will be able to pick up a whole chicken for £2.99, a pack of The Best Potatoes for 99p and two packs of vegetables for 39p each – bringing the total cost of the meal to just £4.76. 

Available across Morrisons Market Street, the products are all from British farms and usually retail up to a combined price of £6.98, saving customers over a third on their shopping bill.

Rebecca Halliday, Senior Seasonal Event Manager at Morrisons, says, “We know this is an important day to celebrate mums and everything they do. At under a fiver, we hope this offer means more people can afford to treat mum to a special roast this Mother’s Day.”

Morrisons Feed the Family for a Fiver Roast Dinner Deal is available in all 497 stores and online now. 

Morrisons will also be offering a ‘Pocket Money Menu’ in its cafes this week – a menu created by kids to include mums’ favourites such as tea, coffee, toasted teacakes and crumpets for just 99p, offering some of the best value on the high-street. 

Morrisons launch Pocket Money Menu for kids to treat Mum on Mother’s Day

Morrisons has revealed a new ‘Pocket Money Menu’ in all of our cafés to allow kids to treat their mums on their special day this year.

No need to worry about burnt toast in bed, every item on our ‘Pocket Money Menu’ is 99p or less meaning kids can treat their mum to a meal out without breaking the piggy bank. 

The menu has been inspired by our youngest shoppers and includes mums’ favourites including tea, coffee, toasted teacakes and crumpets for just 99p. Plus, Morrisons famous doughnuts are also on the menu for just 35p, so kids will be able to enjoy one too. 

According to RoosterMoney, the average pocket money for 4-10 year olds is £4.12 per week*, making the new pocket friendly café menu affordable for little shoppers to spoil their mum. 

Ali Lyons, Head of Café at Morrisons, says, “Mums are always finding ways to brighten our day. We hope that our 99p Pocket Money Menu will help sons and daughters to show mum their appreciation and spend some quality time together.”

We’ve also brought back our ‘Feed the Family’ offer for just £10 in our cafés nationwide this week – just in time for Mother’s Day.

Adults can choose from a range of café favourites including hand-battered fish and chips, lasagne, jacket potatoes and burgers as well as drinks such as soft drinks or coffee. For the kids, the offer includes smaller portions of chicken nuggets or macaroni cheese along with drinks such as Tropicana or milk. Children will also receive a piece of fruit alongside their main meals. 

Tea and coffee will remain at just 99p, making them one of the cheapest places to pick up a hot drink on the high street.

For more information and to find a local Morrisons café, please visit: https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/

Hop To It: Morrisons Easter Egg range launches in stores

– Range includes four new luxury Easter eggs including a free-from choccy orange, cute Leo the Lion Cub and ‘Egg’ on Toast –

– Chocolate donuts are already causing a storm on social media –

– New hot cross bun flavours this year include Blondie, Apple & Cinnamon and Chocolate Orange –

Morrisons customers can get extra egg-cited this week as its new Easter range has now landed in stores. 

New products in the range include four luxury easter eggs: 

·         The Best Chocolate Collection Dark Egg – an indulgent rich Belgian dark, chocolate, with a creamy milk and white chocolate marbling

·         The Best Chocolate Collection Raspberry and Belgian White Egg – a creamy Belgian white chocolate, studded with tangy freeze-dried raspberry pieces

·         The Best Chocolate Collection Milk Egg – luxurious and smooth Belgian milk chocolate decorated with blue, red and white speckles

·         The Best Chocolate Collection Free From Seville Orange Choccy Egg – a chocolate orange egg, hand dipped in crunchy cocoa nibs with rich Belgian dark chocolate and Seville orange truffles, deliciously vegan and free-from gluten, wheat, egg and milk.

Morrisons has also been working to reduce plastic across its own-brand range and all of The Best Eggs this year will be completely plastic free. 

Morrisons will also be offering a chocolate ‘Egg on Toast’ and adorable Leo the Lion Cub, a toffee flavoured white and milk chocolate with dark chocolate decorations, which will be a ROAR-ing hit with families with kids. 

In addition, Morrisons has launched the UK’s first hollow Donut. It is toffee-flavoured and comes in with two toppings, white chocolate & pink drizzle or white chocolate & crispy pearls.

The new donuts are already causing a stir on social media with a post by @helenjtea amassing over 4,500 likes and comments from fans including “insane”, “Wow they look incredible” and “omg I actually thought this was a donut”. 

From this week, Morrisons customers will be able to pick up hot cross buns in four new flavours – Blondie, Apple & Cinnamon, Chocolate Orange and a fun savoury option Cheese & Jalapeño.

Customer favourites Extra Fruity and Lemon Drizzle will also be back on shelves for a second year.

Sarah Newton, Senior Product Developer at Morrisons, said: “We’re proud of this year’s Easter range, it features delicious treats our customers know and love plus some fun new flavours for the whole family to enjoy – all without breaking the bank.”

Morrisons Easter range is available in stores nationwide now with selected products available online. 

For more information visit: 

https://groceries.morrisons.com/browse/easter-confectionery-186013 

Morrisons introduces rentable boxes at salad bars to remove single-use plastic

Morrisons is introducing new ‘rentable’ boxes on its Salad Bar in four trial stores to allow customers to lunch more sustainably. It has also removed plastic cutlery from all stores.

The Refill a Box scheme is the first of its kind to be trialled by a UK supermarket. Each ‘rentable’ box will replace Morrisons large salad box and is made from fully recyclable polypropylene. The boxes are designed to be used 400 times to prevent disposable plastic containers from being used.

To use the new boxes, customers must first download the CauliBox app[1], register, tap on ‘scan to take a box’ and insert their card details. Customers can then scan the QR code on the Salad Bar point-of-sale, collect an empty box from a Salad Bar colleague, fill it with salad products, then pay at the till as normal.

Boxes should be returned to the Refill a Box drop-off point at the Salad Bar when customers next visit and the QR code scanned again.

They will be thoroughly machine washed and sanitised, before being returned to the pick-up point for another use. A £5 deposit is held whilst customers use the box, which is refunded when the box is returned within seven days.

Lorraine Wheeler, Environmental Packaging Manager at Morrisons, said: “Thousands of customers visit our Salad Bars every week – and this is increasing as people go back out to work.

“Until now we’ve stocked recyclable single-use plastic containers, but we think customers will be ready to swap to this reusable box – as it’s so simple to use. We hope to roll it out to more stores this year.”

Reducing the amount of single-use plastic in stores is a top concern for Morrisons customers. Morrisons has committed to a 50 per cent reduction across its own brand primary plastic packaging by 2025. 

Since 2017 Morrisons has reduced its own brand plastic packaging by over 8,000 tonnes a year and replaced another 7,000 tonnes so that it is fully recyclable.

The move to refillable boxes is the latest initiative from Morrisons to remove plastic packaging from its stores and follows other commitments. 

Morrisons introduced a refillable container scheme for its customers at its butcher and fishmonger counters in 2018 and was the first supermarket to introduce paper carrier bags at checkouts in 2019. Morrisons is also the only UK supermarket to own its own recycling plant in Fife which will reprocess hard-to-recycle soft plastic.

For more information, please visit: https://www.morrisons-corporate.com/morrisons-sustainability/planet/plastics/.

Spoil Mum this Mother’s Day at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden centre launches new Afternoon Tea

The UK’s leading garden centre, Dobbies, is launching its new Afternoon Tea offering just in time for Mother’s Day, with a complimentary Hotel Chocolat gift for all mums over the Mother’s Day weekend.

Spoil your loved one this March and take them to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store for an experience to remember. Taking place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March, Dobbies’ Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea is perfectly suited for all those fantastic mother figures in Edinburgh.

The new Afternoon Tea features selection of sandwiches, dainty mini cakes and slices, freshly made plain and fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, plus a pot of tea or coffee. Dobbies’ Mother’s Day experience can also be made vegan, and a tempting Children’s Afternoon Tea is also available so the whole family can get involved.

Customers looking to add a touch of sparkle can upgrade their experience with a 200ml bottle of prosecco for £6.35 per person.

Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager Sarah Murray said: “We’re really excited to be inviting our customers in to spoil all the mother figures in their lives this Mother’s Day. Our new Afternoon Tea offering in Edinburgh is perfect whether you want to celebrate with the whole family or just a party of two.

“Our Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea is set to be popular so we’d encourage customers to book in advance to avoid any disappointment.”

The new Afternoon Tea menu launches on 17 March, available in 66 stores. Adult Afternoon Tea starts at £13.50 per person, and the Children’s Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed for £7.50 per child. There is no additional cost for the special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea which takes place on 26 and 27 March only.

Dobbies offers Book with Confidence with each purchased slot, for more info visit: https://www.dobbies.com/book-with-confidence.

To book your visit or find out after Afternoon Tea at Dobbies visit:  https://events.dobbies.com/

Frankie & Benny’s to hand out free vegan hotdogs to hungry students

Edinburgh University tomorrow

To celebrate the start of the new university year and a much-anticipated return to full in-person learning for students around the UK, Italian-American restaurant brand Frankie & Benny’s recently completed phase one of a country wide free vegan hotdog giveaway to students. 

When looking at how the brand could provide students with a tasty treat and some much-needed cheer, the ‘Vegan Hotdog University Tour’ was the obvious choice. The much-loved UK brand has for many years run their student offer (20% off food), as well as priding themselves on offering a broad choice of vegan and vegetarian options.  

The first phase of the ‘Vegan Hotdog University Tour’ kicked off at Nottingham Trent University in late January 2022, followed by successful stops at Bristol Uni, Manchester Met, Leicester University, Birmingham City University, Nottingham Uni, Plymouth Uni, Sheffield Uni and Leeds Beckett. 

Off the back of phase one and following the overwhelmingly positive feedback from students across England, Frankie & Benny’s will continue with the activity, this time focusing phase two of ‘The Tour’ on Scotland and Wales.

After a short break, the ‘Vegan Hotdog University Tour’ will restart and head to the following sites: 

·       Glasgow University on 7 March

·       Edinburgh University on 8 March

·       Newcastle Uni on 14 March 

·       Cardiff Met on 21 March

Be sure to continue to follow the tour and any relevant updates on Frankie & Benny’s social: @frankienbennys, as the brand will be handing out vouchers at their upcoming university stops (for freebies in restaurants), with students also in with a chance to win Frankie’s for a year when they sign up with the brand. 

The ‘hero’ of the whole tour has been the famous ‘Vegan Dog’, a new vegan option on the Frankie & Benny’s menu and one that is proving very popular with vegans and non-vegans alike! The juicy plant-based hotdog is served on a soft glazed roll, with fried onions, gherkins, fiery chillies, BBQ sauce and delicious vegan mayo. image.png

Gabby Barysaite, Senior Brand Manager, Frankie & Benny’s, said: “Our recent ‘Vegan Hotdog University Tour’ has proved to be such a hit, and with such positive feedback from students across the country, it’s a programme that we’re committed to continuing – with a focus on universities in Scotland and Wales.  

“We pride ourselves on our vegan and vegetarian menus and as a company it’s something that we’re always looking to adapt and update. We hope that some of the students that tried our vegan hotdogs at their universities were suitably impressed and will look to plan a trip to their nearest restaurant soon.”